Silsden A.F.C.

Last updated

Silsden
Silsden-Crest.png
Full nameSilsden Association Football Club
NicknameThe Cobbydalers
Founded1904;121 years ago (1904)
GroundRegal Interiors Stadium
Silsden
Capacity1,500
ChairmanWill Twigg
ManagerMatt Cavanagh & Paul Maltby
League Northern Premier League Division One East
2024–25 Northern Counties East League Premier Division, 1st of 20 (promoted)

Silsden A.F.C. is a football club based in Silsden, West Yorkshire, England, and is currently a member of the Northern Premier League Division One East.

Contents

History

The club was formed in 1904. In 2004–05, they reached the second round of the FA Vase.

They are one of only three teams ever to win the West Riding County Challenge FA Cup three years on the trot – 2001, 2002 and 2003 before joining the NWCFL the following season and gaining promotion at the first attempt into the Premier Division (along with Cammell Laird).

The other two teams to have won the West Riding CFA Challenge Cup three times on the trot were Storthes Hall (1998-2000) and Bradford Rovers (1939–41).

For the 2014–15 season; Silsden AFC fielded a Development Squad to compete in the Lancashire Galaxy League under manager Paul Evans.

Ryan Haigh was appointed first team manager for the 2015–16 season but resigned in February due to family commitments. He was replaced by former player James Gill.

Danny Forrest took over from James Gill in November 2016. His assistant is another ex-professional – Matty McNeil and is supported by goalkeeper coach Kevin Knappy, physio Andy Henson and fitness coach Clive Murgatroyd.

In January 2016 Silsden announced plans on their website to allow all Bradford City Season ticket holders half price admission for the remainder of the season. They have since extended this invitation to all professional clubs including local side Guiseley AFC.

For the 2017–18 season Silsden AFC entered an Under 21 team into the West Riding County FA U21 League. In that season they won the North West Counties League Division One and gained promotion to the Premier Division.

In 2022 Danny Forrest left for local Northern Premier League side Guiseley and Luke Lavery and Matt Cavanagh were appointed as joint managers with ex-defender Shaun Airey appointed onto their coaching staff.

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
GK Flag of England.svg  ENG Kyle Trenerry
GK Flag of England.svg  ENG Matt Keen
DF Flag of England.svg  ENG T'Nique Fishley
DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Lewis Gartland
DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Carlton Pownall
DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Alex Laird
DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jacob Smith
DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Alex Stewart
DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Adam Clayton(captain)
DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Adam Hartley
DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Tez Ryan
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jake Maltby
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Mark Hoban
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Dominic Craig
No.Pos.NationPlayer
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Ross Daly
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Harry Thompson
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Brad Riley
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Arley Barnes
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Reece Powell
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Dan Smith
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Ellis Hudson
FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Josimar Bradshaw
FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Kayle Price
FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Luke Brooksbank
FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Joe Snowden
FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Casey Stewart
FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Jack Normanton
FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Jakub Hebda

Stadium

During their earlier years in the North West Counties League they played their home games at Cougar Park, home of the rugby league club Keighley Cougars. However, in early 2010 plans were put in place to upgrade their former ground in Silsden. With the help of the Football Foundation, Sports England and Asda Foundation, committee of the club, of Silsden Cricket Club and of players plus the generosity of sponsors and local businesses, their dream came true when they returned in time for the start of the 2010–11 season. Floodlights, a stand, new dugouts, coffee hut, pay-hut, walkway, perimeter fencing and barriers were all put in place to complement the newly erected £1.2 million Sports Club which houses 6 changing rooms, two referees' rooms, a physiotherapy room and a function room.

For the start of the 2012–13 season saw the name of stadium change to Angel Telecom Stadium following a five-year sponsor package with the Bradford-based telecommunications company.

For the 2016–17 season the stadium was renamed "The Cobbydale Construction Stadium" to coincide with a generous annual sponsorship deal by local builders Cobbydale Construction.

In 2016 the club again made ground improvements including new outside toilets and a new hospitality area named the '1904 Lounge' tracing the clubs routes back to its original formation.

In early 2017 the club built state of the art dug-outs to complement the completion of the exterior enclosure fencing.

For the 2020–21 season a new 100 seater stand was installed to replace the old wooden stand, and the following season the new 1904 hospitality suite, with bar and catering facilities, separate from the clubhouse, replaced the old Portacabin facility.

2022 saw local firm Office Interiors Wholesale become the new stadium sponsor.

Records

Honours

Craven League

West Riding County Amateur League

North West Counties League

References

    53°54′25″N1°56′36″W / 53.906952°N 1.943401°W / 53.906952; -1.943401